Lake Chinocup

Lake Chinocup, sometimes referred to as Chinocup Lake,[3] is a salt lake in the Great Southern region of Western Australia located in the Shire of Kent between the towns of Nyabing and Pingrup and about 1 km (0.62 mi) north of the town of Chinocup. The town takes its name from the lake; the name is an Aboriginal word of unknown meaning. The lake was named in 1879.[4]

Lake Chinocup
Lake Chinocup
Location in Western Australia
LocationGreat Southern, Western Australia
Coordinates33°29′56″S 118°24′59″E
TypeSaline
Primary inflowsGroundwater and surface runoff
Catchment area3,500 km2 (1,400 sq mi)[1]
Basin countriesAustralia
Surface area12,000 ha (30,000 acres)[2]
Surface elevation280 m (920 ft)[3]

The lake is one of many in the Chinocup Lake system that runs in a north to south direction between Pingrup and Lake Grace and are part of an ancient river system. Some of the lakes are pink in colour as a result of the presence of Halobacterium.[5]

The lake occupies an area of 12,000 ha (30,000 acres)[2] and makes up part of the Lake Chinocup Reserve, which has a total area of 19,825 ha (48,990 acres). The catchment area of the lake is 3,500 km2 (1,400 sq mi), made up of Lake Chinocup Reserve, Lake Magenta Reserve (approximately 94,000 ha (230,000 acres)) and surrounding farmland.[1]

The lake system is part of the Lockhart River catchment, which is part of the even larger Avon River basin.[6] The Pingrup River, also part of the Lockhart system, originates from Lake Chinocup.[7]

Vegetation around the lake starts with fringing samphire followed by Melaleuca scrub and a small area of Casuarina obesa. Further from the lake and usually on higher dune areas is found mallee scrub woodlands. The overstorey of the woodlands is Eucalyptus incrassata, Eucalyptus kondininensis and Eucalyptus phaenophylla with species such as Adenanthos pungens in the understorey. Two rare species of plant and six priority species are found within the reserve.[8]

A gypsum mine on the edge of the lake in the reserve was proposed in 1994. The mining area would be around 70 ha (170 acres) in size and the mining company would have to pay a considerable bond to ensure rehabilitation works are completed when mining ceases.[2]

See also

References
  1. Barbara Morrell; Tom Hatton; Peter Curry. "The Chinocup Story" (PDF). Department of Water. Retrieved 3 December 2018.
  2. "Support for gypsum mining at Lake Chinocup". Ministerial Statements. Government of Western Australia. 20 April 1994. Retrieved 3 December 2018.
  3. "Map of Chinocup Lake, WA". Bonzle Digital Atlas. Digital Atlas Pty Limited. 2018. Retrieved 3 December 2018.
  4. Western Australian Land Information Authority. "History of country town names – C". Retrieved 3 December 2018.
  5. "Pingrup". Hidden Treasures of the Great Southern. 2014. Retrieved 3 December 2018.
  6. "Riparian condition of the Salt River Waterway assessment in the zone of ancient drainage" (PDF). Water resource management series. Department of Water. January 2008. Retrieved 3 December 2018.
  7. "Waterway assessment of the Camm River: Lockhart River confluence to Hyden" (PDF). Water resource management series. Department of Water. December 2009. Retrieved 3 December 2018.
  8. "Consulatative Environment Review, Mining of Agricultural Gypsum from Lake Chinocup "A" Class Nature Reserve" (PDF). Environmental Protection Authority. 1993. Retrieved 3 December 2018.
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